Former Gophers football coach Glen Mason is a candidate for the job at New Mexico.

Joel Maturi, Gophers athletic director, received a call from Paul Krebs, athletic director at New Mexico, for references on former Gophers football coach Glen Mason.

Krebs was getting his masters degree in athletic administration at Ohio State when Mason was an assistant coach there in the early 1980s.

Maturi said he gave Mason a high recommendation and told Krebs that Mason would be a very good coach.

Mason could not be reached for comment. However he has told friends in the past that he was eager to get back into coaching.

He did say via Twitter: "The rumors are not correct. I am honored to being mentioned at NMU however I do not have interest at this time."

Mike Locksley was fired in late September and defensive coordinator George Barlow has coached out the season. The Lobos are 1-9 and have to games remaining.

Mason, 61, was 64-57 in 10 years with the Gophers before being fired after the 2006 season. He is working with the Big Ten Network as an analyst.